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Child abuse is recognized as a major social problem in Albania, which can be attributed to a plethora of factors including the socioeconomic development of the country, lack of information about child abuse, the national mentality towards child abuse, and the obsolete approach to child care and protection. Schools and communities are considered to be leading actors in child education and protection, and therefore, a new set of training on child abuse issues and community services is crucial given the influence these institutions have. This project aimed to increase the capacities of teachers and parents in the city of Pogradec, and assisted these populations in understanding the reasons for the behavioral problems a child can have as a result of abuse, and provided them with the ability to better assess the needs of their children.

To successfully complete this project, parents and teachers from two elementary schools in Pogradec were trained on how to successfully work and assist children who have behavioural problems, and who may be exposed to a risk of child maltreatment from schoolteachers, parents, family, and community. A public campaign was launched utilizing media outlets such as TV broadcasts, and publications in newspapers and magazines in order to sensitize the community to the most common problems regarding child abuse. Extensive training to teachers and parents was provided, as was a database identifying children at risk for child abuse in Pogradec (which serves as an information resource for future prevention and intervention of abuse), and lastly, a workshop with collaboration from the Ministry of Health and Education.